Photos shared by volunteers and the brigade’s official Instagram account show the  unmanned ground vehicle armed with a 9K38 Igla missile mounted on a turret. The brigade has announced a fundraising campaign to produce 10 more of these systems. According to the post, the prototype has already successfully downed a Russian helicopter.The post also notes that this robotic system was developed in response to the growing threat of FPV drones, which often make it too dangerous for soldiers to leave cover to manually launch a MANPADS. The new platform allows the operator to remain in a protected position while remotely launching the missile, reducing the risk of drone strikes.As Defense Express points out, in addition to replacing the need for an exposed operator in the field, the system could potentially be used to stage ambushes on Russian aircraft behind Russian lines. Thanks to its compact size, the robotic platform could theoretically be deployed unnoticed, take up a concealed position—such as on a hillside—and wait for enemy aircraft to approach. For this kind of operation, it would need powerful batteries and a reliable communications system to transmit a clear, stable image for precise targeting. In previous versions, similar platforms have been equipped with fiber-optic links, though those carried different types of weapons.UGV with a 9K38 Igla MANPADS. Photo: Official page of the 28th Separate Mechanized BrigadeCurrently, Russia’s attack aircraft and helicopters tend to operate at low altitudes using lofted launch techniques to avoid the engagement zones of Ukrainian air defenses. This makes it especially difficult to intercept them with conventional systems. But Ukraine’s new robotic launcher may change that. By extending the reach and flexibility of MANPADS and enabling surprise launches from hidden positions, these systems could make low-level Russian air operations near the front lines significantly more dangerous—and far less effective.